We salute Boyne area citizens

February 08, 2005

The Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce recently honored some of the best folks in the community, and managed to honor a former chamber president as well.

Sally Roselli was remembered with the Sally Roselli Business Leadership Award. Although not an annual award by the chamber, when given it honors someone in the community with exemplary leadership above and beyond the call of duty.

The chamber looked to Leslie Neilson for that honor.

Neilson, who owns Bali Living Imports, is active in the Main Street Project. She joined the chamber four years ago to make changes.

Believing it's not right to sit back and complain, "I can be part of the problem or solution. I chose to be part of the solution," she said.

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She promoted the "Buy into Boyne" fund-raiser, and when all was said and done, $400,000 had been raised.

Also honored was the Boyne Area Fourth of July Committee, which received the Boyne Area Civic Pride Award.

Accepting the award were Ann Parks and Liz Kroondyk, who joined the committee shortly after it was formed by then-chamber director Gloria Anderson.

Mayor Eleanor Stackus said the committee is more than deserving for its commitment to making the Fourth of July festivities in Boyne City a hometown celebration.

"I don't know where the Fourth of July would be without the committee of volunteers," Stackus said.

Michigan AAA Magazine named the Boyne parade as one of the top five in Michigan.

"They have built our Fourth of July festivities to what it is today, a major event, Norman Rockwell on a grand scale," said chamber director Scott MacKenzie.